Arrivals from four major West African countries of origin fell by 59% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to new data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
However, the factors driving migration remain, and dangerous journeys continue across multiple routes. “Fewer arrivals in one place don’t mean the pressures have gone away,” said IOM Director-General Amy Pope.
“They often just shift to other routes. That’s why we need to look at the whole journey, from where people leave to where they arrive.”
A total of 4 566 people from Mali, Senegal, Guinea and The Gambia were registered as having arrived in Europe by sea during the first six months of 2026. The West African Atlantic Route remained the principal route, with West African nationals accounting for 83% of arrivals registered between January and June 2026.
This was followed by the Western Mediterranean Route, with 21.9%, up from 15.6% in 2025, and the Central Mediterranean Route, with 10.5%, up from 8.6% in 2025.
While overall arrival figures are down, the increased proportion of West African nationals using Mediterranean routes points to a shifting migration landscape and underscores the need to monitor developments across all routes.
The decline comes amid ongoing joint efforts by countries of origin, transit and destination to strengthen migration governance and institutional capacity, expand protection and reintegration support, and deepen bilateral and regional cooperation.
However, data on departures and interceptions indicate that people continue to attempt these journeys, underscoring that the drivers of irregular migration persist and that sustained action is critical to reducing risks, expanding opportunities and making migration safer.
Arrivals in the Canary Islands fell by 62% between 2024 and 2025. However, recorded deaths and disappearances declined by only 4%, from 1 215 to 1 172, highlighting the increasing danger faced by migrants along the route.
Increased controls in traditional departure areas in Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal have contributed to a southward shift towards The Gambia, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau. These alternative departure points can add up to 750 kilometres to the crossing, extending some journeys to approximately 2 200 kilometres. “No single country can solve this alone,” Pope said.
“We need to protect migrants wherever they are, create real opportunities for young people and work together across borders. When we do, lives are saved.”
–IOM/ChannelAfrica–
